Silvesterzauber (New Year's Magic)

The biggest New Year’s Eve Party in Switzerland is called Silvesterzauber (New Year's magic) and takes place around Zurich's lake shore. Dozens of food stands, bars and tents with party music turn the area around Bellevue and Bürkliplatz into a huge open-air party. The climax of the evening is the fireworks display. At exactly 20 minutes past midnight hundreds of rockets take off from boats on the lake. Around 200,000 people attend, so make sure you don’t get stuck snogging behind a tree and miss all the action. Wondering why the fireworks start 20 minutes late? For 15 minutes before and after midnight the city's church bells ring to bid the old year farewell and to welcome the new one. For some exclusive tents you will need a ticket.